DEVICE FOR DENTAL, CLEANING, OR OTHER PROCEDURE
A device for use in an oral healthcare or other procedure includes a ring having a base and two arms extending in opposite circumferential directions. An upstanding receptacle having a flexible wall is mounted on the base. The two arms may partially overlap. Each arm may include a radial tab at a distal end, and a lateral lobe turned toward and overlapping a portion of the other arm. A cup may be inserted into the first receptacle. A pedestal may extend outward from the base within the receptacle. Anti-rotation pins may extend upward from a top surface of the pedestal, the anti-rotation pins contacting and engaging the cup. A sunken receptacle may be formed in the base. A flange extending at inclined angle may overhang the interior space.
This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/782,573, titled “DEVICE FOR AIDING IN A MEDICAL TREATMENT SUCH AS IN A DENTAL SETTING,” filed on Mar. 14, 2013, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis disclosure is directed towards a device for aiding in a medical treatment such as in a dental setting, and, more particularly, towards a device used to supplement cleaning of teeth using a hand scraper.
BACKGROUNDIn a dental, orthodontic, or other mouth care related medical office, a healthcare provider such as a dentist, orthodontist, or dental hygienist may use a hand scraper tool for removing plaque and other buildup from teeth. Additionally, a healthcare provider may use other implements, such as, for example, a polishing brush that has paste applied thereon and then is buffed into the patient's teeth. A dentist or dental hygienist will usually have a paper towel or similar paper product nearby in order to deposit excess paste, plaque, and other buildup that the provider uncovers during the healthcare treatment process. In some instances, this may be a bib that is attached around the patient's neck.
Each of these methods and solutions are undesirable for one or more reasons. For example, when a bib is used, the bib and deposited material is viewable to the patient and may be unsightly to the patient and other patients nearby. Additionally, the bib must be immediately disposed of as soon as a treatment such as teeth cleaning is finished and an additional bib may then be required if further medical care is being rendered. When a healthcare provider uses a paper towel, sometimes an assistant may be required to hold the towel. Additionally, the towel may be out of reach from the healthcare provider, slowing down the healthcare treatment process. In the example where an assistant is holding a towel or gauze, the assistant may be injured by inadvertent contact with a sharp medical instrument.
A need therefore exists for a method or solution that addresses these disadvantages.
SUMMARYThis Summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form concepts that are further described in the following detailed descriptions. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it to be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
According to at least one embodiment, a device for aiding a user in conducting a procedure includes an encircling structure having a base, a first arm, and a second arm, the first arm and second arm extending in opposite circumferential directions from the base, and a first receptacle mounted on the base, the receptacle having a flexible outer wall surrounding an interior well.
In at least one example, the first arm and second arm at least partially overlap circumferentially such that the base, the first arm, and the second arm together entirely surround an opening. In at least one example, the first arm includes a first distal end circumferentially opposite the base, and a first radial tab at the first distal end extending outward from the encircling structure; and the second arm includes a second distal end circumferentially opposite the base, and a second radial tab at the second distal end extending outward from the encircling structure. In at least one example, the first arm comprises a first lateral lobe at the first distal end, the first lateral lobe turned toward and overlapping a portion of the second arm; and the second arm includes a second lateral lobe at the second distal end, the second lateral lobe turned toward and overlapping a portion of the first arm. In at least one example, the first arm includes a first medial cutout portion overlapped by the second lateral lobe; and the second arm includes a second medial cutout portion overlapped by the first lateral lobe.
In at least one example, a cup is at least partially inserted into the interior well. In at least one example, the encircling structure includes a pedestal extending outward from the base within the interior well and surrounded by the outer wall. In at least one example, the cup can be at least partially inserted into the interior wall contacting the pedestal. In at least one example, anti-rotation pins extend upward from a top surface of the pedestal, the anti-rotation pins contacting and engaging the cup.
In at least one example, slots are formed in the outer wall of the first receptacle. In at least one example, at least one of the slots is at least approximately diametrically opposite another one of the slots. In at least one example, an adhesive layer attaches the first receptacle to the base of the encircling structure.
In at least one example, a second receptacle is formed in the base. In at least one example, the first receptacle includes an upstanding receptacle attached to the base; and the second receptacle includes a sunken receptacle formed in the base. In at least one example, the sunken receptacle defines a dipping well. In at least one example, the dipping well has at least one wall defining an interior space; and a flange extending from the wall at an angle inclined over the interior space. In at least one example, the dipping well is shaped as a flat-bottom cavity having upstanding walls. In at least one example, the dipping well is shaped as a cavity having upstanding walls surrounding a V-channel or cone-shaped recess.
According to at least one embodiment, a device for aiding a user in conducting a procedure includes: an encircling structure having a base, a first arm, and a second arm, the first arm and second arm extending in opposite circumferential directions from the base; an upstanding receptacle mounted on the base, the upstanding receptacle having a flexible outer wall surrounding an interior well; a cup dimensioned to be received in the upstanding receptacle for containing a first material; and a sunken receptacle formed in the base. In at least one example, slots are formed in the flexible outer wall. In at least one example, at least one flange overhangs the sunken receptacle.
The previous summary and the following detailed descriptions are to be read in view of the drawings, which illustrate particular exemplary embodiments and features as briefly described below. The summary and detailed descriptions, however, are not limited to only those embodiments and features explicitly illustrated.
These descriptions are presented with sufficient details to provide an understanding of one or more particular embodiments of broader inventive subject matters. These descriptions expound upon and exemplify particular features of those particular embodiments without limiting the inventive subject matters to the explicitly described embodiments and features. Considerations in view of these descriptions will likely give rise to additional and similar embodiments and features without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matters. Although the term “step” may be expressly used or implied relating to features of processes or methods, no implication is made of any particular order or sequence among such expressed or implied steps unless an order or sequence is explicitly stated.
A device 10 for aiding a user in conducting a procedure such as cleaning teeth is shown in
The ring 12 is semi-rigid and resilient overall such the central base 20 and arms 14 and 16 together form a compression clamp when placed about a digit or other structure that fits within the opening 22 in a snug or tight fashion. Due to the circumferential overlap, slight flexibility, and resiliency of the base 20 and arms 14 and 16 (
The arm 14 has a distal end circumferentially opposite its junction with the base 20, and a radial tab 24 at the distal end extending outward from the ring 12. Similarly, the arm 16 has a distal end circumferentially opposite its junction with the base 20, and a radial tab 26 extending outward from the ring 12 (
The arm 14, at its distal end, has a lateral lobe 34 turned toward and overlapping a medial cutout portion of the arm 16 (
The device 10 includes a debris receiving structure 50 (
The debris receiving structure 50 (
In the illustrated embodiment, the debris receiving structure 50 is removable from the ring 12 for disposal or cleaning. As such, the ring 12 can be cleaned and re-used, with a replacement debris receiving structure 50 being applied thereto. As shown in
The device 10 further includes a cup 70 (
The ring 12 includes a pedestal 40 (
The ring 12 further includes a dipping well 80 (
A dipping well 100 according to at least one other embodiment is shown in
While device 10 has been described with reference to dental applications, for example for collecting debris from a tool used to remove plaque and buildup from a patient's teeth in lieu of collecting the debris on the patient's bib or a nearby towel as is conventionally done in an unsightly manner. The device 10 is equally applicable in any situation in which it may be advantageously employed. For example, device 10 may be used by professionals and hobbyists who use glue, liquids, polishing compounds and other materials carried by or collected in the interior well 54, cup 70, and dipping well 80, for example, shaped as shown in
Particular embodiments and features have been described with reference to the drawings. It is to be understood that these descriptions are not limited to any single embodiment or any particular set of features, and that similar embodiments and features may arise or modifications and additions may be made without departing from the scope of these descriptions and the spirit of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A device for aiding a user in conducting a procedure, the device comprising:
- an encircling structure having a base, a first arm, and a second arm, the first arm and second arm extending in opposite circumferential directions from the base;
- a first receptacle mounted on the base, the first receptacle having a flexible outer wall surrounding an interior well.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the first arm and second arm at least partially overlap circumferentially such that the base, the first arm, and the second arm together entirely surround an opening.
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein:
- the first arm comprises a first distal end circumferentially opposite the base, and a first radial tab at the first distal end extending outward from the encircling structure; and
- the second arm comprises a second distal end circumferentially opposite the base, and a second radial tab at the second distal end extending outward from the encircling structure
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein:
- the first arm comprises a first lateral lobe at the first distal end, the first lateral lobe turned toward and overlapping a portion of the second arm; and
- the second arm comprises a second lateral lobe at the second distal end, the second lateral lobe turned toward and overlapping a portion of the first arm
5. A device according to claim 4, wherein:
- the first arm comprises a first medial cutout portion overlapped by the second lateral lobe; and
- the second arm comprises a second medial cutout portion overlapped by the first lateral lobe.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the encircling structure comprises a pedestal extending outward from the base within the interior well and surrounded by the outer wall.
7. A device according to claim 6, further comprising a cup at least partially inserted into the interior well and contacting the pedestal, wherein anti-rotation pins extend upward from a top surface of the pedestal, the anti-rotation pins contacting and engaging the cup.
8. A device according to claim 1, further comprising a cup at least partially inserted into the interior well.
9. A device according to claim 1, wherein slots are formed in the outer wall of the first receptacle.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the slots is at least approximately diametrically opposite another one of the slots.
11. A device according to claim 1, further comprising an adhesive layer that attaches the first receptacle to the base of the encircling structure.
12. A device according to claim 1, wherein a second receptacle is formed in the base.
13. A device according to claim 12, wherein:
- the first receptacle comprises an upstanding receptacle attached to the base; and
- the second receptacle comprises a sunken receptacle formed in the base.
14. A device according to claim 12, wherein the second receptacle defines a dipping well.
15. A device according to claim 14, wherein:
- the dipping well has at least one wall defining an interior space; and
- a flange extending from the wall at an angle inclined over the interior space.
16. A device according to claim 14, wherein the dipping well is shaped as a flat-bottom cavity having upstanding walls.
17. A device according to claim 14, wherein the dipping well is shaped as a cavity having upstanding walls surrounding a V-channel or cone-shaped recess.
18. A device for aiding a user in conducting a procedure, the device comprising:
- an encircling structure having a base, a first arm, and a second arm, the first arm and second arm extending in opposite circumferential directions from the base;
- an upstanding receptacle mounted on the base, the upstanding receptacle having a flexible outer wall surrounding an interior well;
- a cup dimensioned to be received in the upstanding receptacle for containing a first material; and
- a sunken receptacle formed in the base.
19. A device according to claim 18, wherein slots are formed in the flexible outer wall.
20. A device according to claim 18, wherein at least one flange overhangs the sunken receptacle.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 18, 2014
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Inventor: Jason A. Olsen (Fayetteville, NC)
Application Number: 14/183,477